ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
President's Secretariat
President’s Greetings on the eve of Chaitra Sukladi, Ugadi, Gudi Padava, Cheti Chand, Navreh and Sajibu Cheiraoba
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind in his message on the eve of Chaitra Sukladi, Ugadi, Gudi Padava, Cheti Chand, Navreh and Sajibu Cheiraoba has said: -
“On the auspicious occasion of Chaitra Sukladi, Ugadi, Gudi Padava, Cheti Chand, Navreh and Sajibu Cheiraoba to be celebrated on March 25th, this year, I extend my greetings and good wishes to all my fellow citizens.
These festivals of the spring season, represent multiple hues of our cultural grandeur and rich heritage of our country. And these festivals are also a part of our glorious traditions sharing one’s happiness and fortune with others.
May these festivals strengthen the bonds of amity and fraternity amongst our fellow citizens. Also, people must fight the COVID-19 virus with full determination. Maintain social distancing and all other precautions while celebrating the festivals”.
Click here to read message in Hindi
Prime Minister's Office
PM expresses happiness over the significant milestone in Jan Dhan Accounts
Jan Dhan Accounts cross 50 crore
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed happiness over the significant milestone in Jan Dhan Accounts. The number of Jan Dhan Accounts crossed 50 crore.
Shri Modi also said that it is heartening to see that more than half of these accounts belong to our Nari Shakti.
In response to a tweet by PIB India, PM said;
“This is a significant milestone.
It is heartening to see that more than half of these accounts belong to our Nari Shakti. With 67% of accounts opened in rural and semi-urban areas, we are also ensuring that the benefits of financial inclusion reach every corner of our nation.”
Ministry of Railways
RPF, ER RECOVERS 25 STOLEN ANDROID PHONES VALUED Rs. 4 LAKHS & APPREHENDS 2 PERSONS
Kolkata, September 23, 2021
On Wednesday , acting on a tip off, a team of officers & staff of the RPF, Sahibganj conducted raid & checking in 05412 Sahibganj–Barharwa Passenger Special and apprehended two persons with bags containing mobile phones.
On being asked they disclosed their identity. On checking their bags, 25 old & used android mobile phones were recovered from their possession. When further asked, they failed to produce any authority or document in support of the mobile phones found in their possession. During interrogation, both the persons confessed that all the mobile phones have been stolen from different places. They had bought the mobile phones from different thieves and intended to sell them to different persons. On Wednesday, they were going to Kaliachack for selling all the stolen android mobile phones but were apprehended by RPF.
The value of the recovered phones is approximately Rs. 4 lakhs. All the articles with accused persons were handed over to GRP, Sahibganj for further legal action.
Ministry of Science & Technology
‘GenomeIndia: Cataloguing the Genetic Variation in Indians’ project
‘GenomeIndia: Cataloguing the Genetic Variation in Indians’ project has been sanctioned by Department of Biotechnology  on January16, 2020 for a period of 3 years to 20 institutions from varied disciplines across the country. The whole genome sequencing under GenomeIndia has just started.
The proposed target of Whole Genome Sequencing  is to do it for total 10,000 individuals representing the country’s diverse population in 3 years. The information generated from whole genome sequencing can facilitate future human genetics research in the country with greater precision, and to design a genome wide association array for the Indian population to develop precision healthcare and diagnostics for major diseases at affordable costs.
The data security and sharing measures for this project will be governed by the rules and regulations formulated by Government of India. The personal information of all individuals consenting to participate in the study is stripped off from any further records in this project. This process of de-identification ensures that the personal information of the participants is not compromised. Additionally, ethical measures are strictly adhered to in order to maintain data security and protection.
This was stated by Dr.Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM congratulates President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol on his victory in Presidential elections
(The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol on his victory in the Presidential elections.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"I warmly congratulate President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol on his victory in Presidential elections. I look forward to working with him to further expand and strengthen the India-ROK Special Strategic Partnership.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
50th Meeting of the General Council of the V.V. Giri National Labour Institute  held.
 was held under the Chairpersonship of Shri Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Environment, Forest and Climate Change and President of the General Council, at Ministry of Labour & Employment, in New Delhi on 10th December, 2021.
The Union Minister reviewed the various activities of the institute and provided directions for further future professional activities. He desired that the institute should aspire to become a world class institute and work for the ISO Certification. He also advised that VVGNLI should have internship for management and legal students. He released four publications of the institute i.e. ‘VVGNLI Policy perspectives’ ; ‘Child Hope’  and ‘Two Research Study Series’, on this occasion.
The Meeting was attended by Shri. Sunil Barthwal, Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment and the Vice-President of General Council; Ms. Sibani Swain, Additional Secretary & Financial Adviser,Ms. Kalpana Rajsinghot, Joint Secretary; Shri Arun Chawla, Secretary General, FICCI; Shri P.K. Gupta, Chancellor, Sharda University; Shri B. Surendran, National Organising Secretary BMS; Shri Sukumar Damle, National Secretary, AITUC and Shri Virendra Kumar, BMS. Dr H. Srinivas, Director General, VVGNLI welcomed all the members and coordinated the Meeting.
Ministry of Electronics & IT
Digital Literacy
The NITI Aayog Report titled "Strategy for New India @75" inter-alia indicates that India needs to eliminate the Digital Divide by 2022-23. In this regard, it is stated that Skill development and creating skilled talent is an important mission to ensure that the growing digital economy of India is provided with the trained and skilled manpower that Industry requires. To further aid digital adoption, the Ministry has focused on digital literacy for citizens since 2014, across the country, especially in rural areas.
Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology  has taken the following initiatives to bridge the digital divide in the country:
- In the years 2014 to 2016, two Schemes titled “National Digital Literacy Mission”  and “Digital Saksharta Abhiyan”  were implemented by the Government with a target to train 52.50 lakh candidates in digital literacy across the country. Under these two schemes, a total of 53.67 lakh beneficiaries were certified.
- In 2017, a scheme titled “Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan ” was approved by Union Cabinet to usher in digital literacy in rural India by covering 6 crore rural households . So far, a total of around 5.78 crore candidates have been enrolled and 4.90 crore have been trained, out of which around 3.62 crore candidates have been certified under this scheme.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Railways
Agreement With Japan For Bullet Train Project
A Memorandum of Cooperation has been signed between Governments of India and Japan to implement Mumbai-Ahmedabad high speed rail corridor with technical and financial assistance of Government of Japan. Government of Japan has agreed to provide 81% of the project cost at a very concessional interest rate of 0.1% with repayment period of 50 years.
Besides Japanese Shinkansen’s proven reputation for reliability and safety, the project is sanctioned on the premise of transfer of technology and Make in India.
Inter country comparisons of cost of high speed rail projects are not appropriate as projects vary in terms of speed/technical parameters , period of execution, scale economies due to size of high speed network being implemented and other local/geographical conditions.
Cooperation with Japan and Japanese technology was selected because of safety record and concessional financing with technological support made available by Japan.
This Press Release is based on the information given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on 15.12.2017 .
Prime Minister's Office
PM congratulates H. E. Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on his election as the Prime Minister of Pakistan
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated to H. E. Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on his election as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Shri Modi has said that India desires peace and stability in a region free of terror so that both countries can focus on its development challenges.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"Congratulations to H. E. Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on his election as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. India desires peace and stability in a region free of terror, so that we can focus on our development challenges and ensure the well-being and prosperity of our people."
Vice President's Secretariat
“A moment of immense pride”- says VP as Indian athletes showcase the best ever performance at the World University Games, 2023
“Their exemplary performance is bound to inspire and motivate the nation.”- Shri Dhankhar
The Vice-President and Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar lauded the spectacular performance of Indian athletes at the World University Games, in the Upper House today.
Extending the felicitations on behalf of the House in Rajya Sabha, Shri Dhankhar called it moment of immense pride as Indian athletes scripted history with their best ever performance at the games, returning with a record-breaking haul of 26 medals including 11 Golds, 5 Silvers, and 10 Bronzes. “Their exemplary performance is bound to inspire and motivate the nation.” he added.
Praising the Indian athletes for their this outstanding feat, Shri Dhankhar said that their achievements reflect our rapid stride forward in the arena of sports and are testimony to the unwavering focus, tremendous hard work and wholehearted dedication of our sportspersons.
In his statement, he also acknowledged the affirmative initiatives and policies of the Government in the arena of sports.
Following is the full text of Chairman’s statement –
“Hon’ble Members, it is a moment of immense pride for us. Our athletes have scripted history by their spectacular performance at the World University Games, 2023, held at Chengdu, People's Republic of China, from July 28th to August 8th, 2023.
At the 31st World University Games, Indian athletes return with a record-breaking haul of 26 medals!
It was our best performance ever at the World University Games where our athletes bagged 11 Golds, 5 Silvers, and 10 Bronzes.
Their achievements reflect our rapid stride forward in the arena of sports and are testimony to the unwavering focus, tremendous hard work and wholehearted dedication of our sportspersons. This is also on account of affirmative Government initiatives and policies.
Their exemplary performance is bound to inspire and motivate the nation.
On behalf of the House, and my own, I extend our felicitations to the athletes and wish them all the success in their future endeavors.”
Special Service and Features
2.39kg gold worth Rs. 1.18 crore seized by Chennai Air Customs. One Arrested.
Chennai Air Intelligence has maintained a high alert at Airport on basis of information given by DRI regarding smuggling of gold by a passenger arriving from Sharjah.One Mohammed Arafath, 24, of Mangaluru who arrived from Sharjah by Air Arabia flight G9-471 was intercepted at exit on suspicion of carrying gold. On examination of his check-in-bag a carton box, one rechargeable LED emergency light was found inside which appears to be unusually heavy. On dismantling the lantern one black battery was found inside. On breaking the battery 18 rectangular gold plates having silver coating were found inside. On removing the silver coating 2.39 kg24 K purity gold valued at Rs. 1.18 was recovered and seized under Customs Act. He was arrested.
2.39 kg of gold worth Rs. 1.18 crore was recovered and seized under Customs Act. One Arrested.
Further investigation is under progress.
This is stated in a press release issued by the Commissioner of Customs, Chennai International Airport.
Prime Minister's Office
PM greets the people of Odisha, on Utkala Dibasa
PM greets the people of Odisha, on Utkala Dibasa
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted the people of Odisha, on Utkala Dibasa.
"Utkala Dibasa greetings to the people of Odisha", the Prime Minister said.
Ministry of Defence
Naval Dockyard Mumbai designs low cost Temperature Gun
Naval Dockyard, Mumbai has designed and developed its own handheld IR based temperature sensor for undertaking screening of large number of personnel at the entry gates of the yard reducing the load on the security sentries at the gate. The instrument has been manufactured under Rs. 1000/ - through in-house resources .
The ongoing pandemic of COVID-19 has led to one of the biggest medical emergencies the world has witnessed in the recent times. View massive surge in the number of infected patients, the medical infrastructure of the nation is being put to its ultimate test.
The 285 year old Naval Dockyard  of Western Naval Command  has an average influx of around 20,000 personnel entering its premises every day. In view of COVID-19, initial screening of these personnel entering the dockyard was essential to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within the yard and the Western Fleet. The most preliminary method to screen a probable patient is to check for body temperature by a non-contact means.
Since the outbreak, the non-contact thermometers or temperature guns have become scarce in the market and are being sold at a very high cost. To overcome the scarcity and requirement of large numbers, ND  has designed and developed its own handheld IR based temperature sensor with accuracy of 0.02 deg Celsius. The non-contact thermometer has a Infrared sensor and an LED display integrated with a microcontroller which runs on a 9V battery. This initiative has provided a tool for undertaking screening of large number of personnel at the entry gates of the yard thereby reducing the load on the security sentries at the gate.
With the manufacturing cost of less than Rs 1000/- the dockyard has the capability to scale up production of these if required towards which sourcing of the components is in progress.
VM/ MS
(Visitor Counter : 1753
Ministry of Food Processing Industries
Over 10 lakh people engaged in food processing units of value addition of cereals in 2016-17
Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Shri Rameswar Teli responding to a written question on quantity of cereals produced in the country and persons employed in its value addition in Rajya Sabha today informed that 10,56,890persons were engaged in registered food processing units of value addition of cereals in 2016-17, as per the latest available data under the Annual Survey of Industries, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
The Minister, while responding to a question on the quantity of cereals produced in the country over the past five years, informed the house that the production, as per the estimates released by Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers’ Welfare, was as under:
|
|
Year
|
|
|
|
Production

|
|
|
|
Rice
|
|
Wheat
|
|
Coarse Cereals
|
|
Total
|
|
2013-14
|
|
106.65
|
|
95.85
|
|
43.30
|
|
245.80
|
|
2014-15
|
|
105.48
|
|
86.53
|
|
42.86
|
|
234.87
|
|
2015-16
|
|
104.41
|
|
92.29
|
|
38.52
|
|
235.22
|
|
2016-17
|
|
109.70
|
|
98.51
|
|
43.77
|
|
251.98
|
|
2017-18
|
|
112.76
|
|
99.87
|
|
46.97
|
|
259.60
RM/SS
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Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Shri Sarbanand Sonowal reviews progress of green initiatives undertaken for the development of Green Ports & Green Shipping in India
Union Minister also reviews JNPT’s Green Project Initiatives
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbanand Sonowal chaired a meeting with all major ports, Cochin shipyard Limited  and IWAI  to review the progress on various green initiatives being implemented, as per Maritime India Vision 2030, for the development of Green Ports & Green Shipping in India.
Union Minister Shri Sarbanand Sonowal also reviewed several green project initiatives of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust . Highlighting JNPT’s green port initiatives, Shri Sanjay Sethi, IAS, Chairman, JNPT, said, “JNPT has prepared an action plan covering all Port activities, including cargo handling, storing, evacuation and many other activities related to environmental protection. JNPT provides shore power supply to tugs and port crafts, the induction of these E-RTGCs, and many such initiatives. We have installed solar panels at JNPT inducted electric vehicles. JN Port has prepared an action plan covering all activities of the Port including cargo handling, storing, evacuation and many other activities related to environmental protection.”
Under the Maritime India Vision 2030, JNPT intends to use 60% of renewable energy, Adoption of Multi Fuel , Shore Power, LNG Bunkering, Energy Efficiency Smart Lightning, Green Belt Cover, Water Conservation/Sewage Treatment, Upcoming solar plants of 2.5MWp.
Jawaharlal Nehru port is committed to sustainable development, and the Port takes adequate measures to maintain ecological balance. The total land available with JNPT is around 3402 hectares out of this, 1147 hectares area  of the Port is under green cover, including mangroves. The Port’s ecosystem consists of rich and diversified flora and fauna. To address the Global climate change problem at the port level, the Port has taken the initiative to acquire “Green Port Status”.
About JNPT:
The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust  at Navi Mumbai is one of the premier container handling ports in India. Commissioned on 26th May 1989, in less than three decades of its operations, JNPT has transformed from a bulk-cargo terminal to become the premier container port in the country.
Currently JNPT operates five container terminals: The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Container Terminal , the Nhava Sheva International Container Terminal , the Gateway Terminals India Pvt. Ltd. , Nhava Sheva International Gateway Terminal  and the newly commissioned Bharat Mumbai Container Terminals Private Limited . The Port also has a Shallow Water Berth for general cargo and another Liquid Cargo Terminal which is managed by BPCL-IOCL consortium and newly constructed coastal berth.
Prime Minister's Office
PM congratulates Jammu and Kashmir for 100% J&K UT villages achieving ODF Plus status
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has lauded Jammu and Kashmir for for 100% J&K UT villages achieving ODF Plus status in 'Model' category under Swachh Bharat Mission  phase-II.
Prime Minister Modi posted on X :
"Laudatory effort, for which I congratulate the people of Jammu and Kashmir. This is a monumental step in our journey towards a cleaner and healthier India."
Ministry of Finance
Income Tax Department conducts searches in Ahmedabad
The Income Tax Department carried out a search and seizure operation on 08.09.2021 on a group based in Ahmedabad. The group is among one of the prominent business houses of Gujarat engaged primarily in the media and real estate sectors. The media arm of the group comprises of electronics, digital as well as print media while the real estate arm comprises of affordable housing projects and urban civic infrastructure. More than 20 premises were covered in the operation.
During the course of the search operation, a large number of incriminating documents, loose sheets, digital evidences etc. have been found and seized, containing detailed records of the group’s unaccounted transactions, spread across multiple financial years. Majority of these evidences indicate huge unaccounted cash receipts in excess of Rs. 500 crore on the sale of Transferable Development Right  certificates. Evidences of on-money transactions in real estate projects and land deals, in excess of Rs. 350 crore have also been found along with corroborative documents. Incriminating evidences of unaccounted cash-based loan and interest payments/repayments worth more than Rs. 150 crore have also been found. Further, substantial incriminating evidences of unaccounted cash expenses, cash advances received and interest paid in cash has also been unearthed. So far, cash of more than Rs. 1 crore and jewelry amounting to Rs. 2.70 crore have also been seized from different premises. A large number of original documents of properties of the group acquired over the years and held in the names of several dummy individuals and cooperative housing societies have also been found.
Overall, the search and seizure operation has resulted in the detection of unaccounted transactions in excess of Rs. 1000 crore spread over various assessment years so far. 14 lockers have also been found during the course of the search operation which have been put under restraint orders.
The search operation is still continuing and further investigations are in progress.
Ministry of Power
Yoga Utsav organized ahead of International Day of Yoga 2022
To encourage the practice of yoga for a healthy life, the Ministry of Power organised Yoga Utsav at Nehru Park, today. The event marked the countdown to the International Day of Yoga 2022  which is celebrated every year on June 21. A live demonstration of Common Yoga Protocol  asanas was performed under the guidance of Yog Gurus from Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga.
The event witnessed the presence of Shri R.K. Singh, Union Minister for Power, New & Renewable Energy and Shri Krishan Pal, Minister of State for Power along with senior officials from the Ministry of Power as well as various public sector companies such as REC, PFC, NTPC, THDC, PGCIL and NHPC. The one-hour Yoga event was conducted from 7:00 am to 8:00 am and more than 400 people actively participated.
The Yoga Utsav has been organised in the run-up to the International Yoga Day 2022 in view of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’.
PIB Headquarters
13 Highway Projects, a Road Safety Project inaugurated by Union Minister for Transport
13 highway projects and a Road safety project of Manipur were inaugurated today through video conference by Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and MSMEs Shri Nitin Gadkari in presence of Manipur Chief Minister Shri N Biren Singh. The function was also attended by MoS  for DONER and PMO Dr Jitendra Singh, MoS RTH Gen  V K Singh, Ministers of the Manipur State, several MPs, MLAs and senior officers from the Centre and the State.
The projects come as a major boost to the infrastructure of this border state and will enhance the quality of 316 kilometers of highways in the state. The projects seek to enhance connectivity, convenience and economic growth of the region. Shri Gadkari assured the people of the state that no efforts will be spared to ensure good infrastructure in the region.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Shri Biren Singh said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the region is witnessing fast economic development for the last few years.
The details of the projects can be seen at:
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1646399#.XzpMVKGeGjc.whatsapp